Iredell Firewire, 221 E Water Street (2026)

11/06/2026

4:41 PM 6/11 | Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Catawba, NC, Iredell, NC counties. | Max Hail: 1.0 inches, Wind: 60 MPH | Expires at 5:15 PM 6/11.

11/06/2026

4:08 PM 6/11 | Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Alexander, NC, Catawba, NC, Iredell, NC counties. | Max Hail: 1.0 inches, Wind: 60 MPH | Expires at 5:15 PM 6/11.

11/06/2026

A career criminal just released from jail used a machete in yesterday's violent incident in West Iredell to stab and seriously injured another man.

Sheriff Darren Campbell stated: At approximately 1725 hours on Wednesday, June 10, 2025, deputies responded to a reported breaking and entering and assault involving a machete on Lewis Ferry Road.

Upon arrival, deputies located the victim suffering from injuries consistent with an assault. The suspect was identified as Joseph Payton Gallimore.

The investigation revealed that Gallimore struck the victim on the front of the head and the back of his right shoulder with a Gurkha Kukri-style machete. The victim also sustained lacerations to the fingers that appeared to be defensive wounds, indicating an attempt to grab the weapon during the assault. Medical personnel at the hospital advised that the victim was in stable condition.

Witnesses reported seeing Gallimore flee on foot toward a wooded area while still armed with the machete. Sheriff's Office K-9 and drone units were deployed to locate him; however, he was not found during the initial search.

Investigators determined that Gallimore also used the machete to slash and flatten the tires of two vehicles parked at the scene. Additionally, Gallimore assaulted another individual during the incident.

It was also learned that Gallimore had been released from custody earlier that day after being arrested on unrelated charges.

Deputy Geiken obtained warrants charging Gallimore with Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence, Misdemeanor False Imprisonment, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Communicating Threats, and Two Counts of Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property.

Around 2 a.m., Gallimore was located and arrested on Fairdale Road. He was taken into custody and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was served with outstanding warrants and issued a no-bond order.

Criminal History: Misdemeanor Intoxicated and Disruptive, Misdemeanor Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Ma*****na, Misdemeanor Possession of Ma*****na, Misdemeanor Larceny, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Driving while Impaired, Two Counts of Misdemeanor Assault on a Female, Felony Obtain Property by False Pretense, Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer, Misdemeanor Second Degree Trespass, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Assault by Strangulation, Felony Alter or Steal Criminal Evidence, and Multiple Traffic Violations.

Iredell County Sheriff
West Iredell Fire Department
Iredell County Rescue Squad, Inc
Iredell County Emergency Medical Service

11/06/2026

The felony case against Brookford Police Chief Willie Armstrong has been dismissed by a Superior Court judge in Catawba County.

Today, Armstrong was vindicated after the judge ruled that the lead investigative agency could not destroy evidence by trimming video footage, noting that only the he can determine what evidence is ultimately presented.

Chief Armstrong wrote on Facebook just minutes ago:

"𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦

Today marks the end of a long and difficult chapter. All criminal charges against me have been officially dismissed.

From the very beginning, I maintained that I was not guilty of any crime. My actions were never motivated by personal gain, malice, or criminal intent. I was doing what I have always done throughout my career: working to serve the public and seeking answers in a decades-old unsolved case.

While this process has been challenging for both me and my family, I remained confident that the truth would ultimately prevail.

I am grateful for the support, prayers, and encouragement from those who stood by me throughout this journey. I also want to thank my family, friends, legal team, and community members who never lost faith.

I also recognize that this process may have strained relationships with some of our law enforcement partners and colleagues. It is my sincere hope that, moving forward, we can focus on rebuilding those relationships, strengthening cooperation, and continuing to work together in service of the communities we are all sworn to protect.

It’s time we all move on! I hold no grudges toward anyone.

My focus remains where it has always been, serving others, supporting my community, and moving forward with integrity and purpose.

Thank you to everyone who stood with me."

Armstrong also spoke with media members outside the courthouse following the dismissal. He stated that he has lost mutual aid agreements with the City of Hickory and the Catawba County Sheriff's Office as a result of the case.

He went on to say:

"I really pray some of these relationships that have been harmed with our department, our city, with me, with other law enforcement agencies can now start moving in the right direction. It's time for everyone to move forward. Enough is enough."

Town of Brookford Police Department
On Patrol: Live

11/06/2026

Yesterday's stabbing suspect is now in custody. We will provide additional information as soon as an official press release is received.

Joseph Payton Gallimore
616 Lewis Ferry Road
Statesville, NC 28677

Charges Include:

Assault with a Deadly Weapon (N.C.G.S. 14-32(C)

Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (N.C.G.S. 14-72.2)

Assault on a Female by a Male Over 18 Years of Age (N.C.G.S. 14-33(C)(2)

Communicating Threats (N.C.G.S. 14-277.1)

Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence (N.C.G.S. 14-32.5)

Common Law False Imprisonment

More information will be released as it becomes available.

Iredell County Sheriff

11/06/2026

SPD - Police Chase - Stolen Vehicle - Orange Nissan Altima - Highway 64 Passing Cool Springs Fire Department

Update - Vehicle Pulled Over To Let A Female Passenger Out - Chase Continuing

Update Speeds Over 100 MPH

Update - Requesting ICSO & NCSHP Assistance

Update - Passing Berry Oak - Requesting Davie County To Be Notified

Update - ICSO & SHP To Assist With Stop Sticks Only

Update - Statesville PD Lost Sight Of The Vehicle Neat Highway 64 & Woodleaf

Update - Vehicle Was Stolen In Statesville After A Male Approaced At Female & Stole The Victims Vehicle

Update - Davie County And SHP Troop E Davie Notified

Iredell County Sheriff
Davie County Sheriff's Office

10/06/2026

***Suspect In Custody***

Joseph Payton Gallimore
616 Lewis Ferry Road
Statesville, NC 28677

West Iredell, Iredell Rescue, ICEMS, EMS Supervisor, ICSO - Person Stabbed With Machete In The Head & Back - Serious Bleeding - 600 Block Of Lewis Ferry Road

Update - Sheriff's Office On Scene With A Large Amount Of Blood - Suspect In The Woods

Update - ICSO Moving To Patrol 2 (Encrypted) - Unable To Provide More Updates

10/06/2026

Remember The Police Chase Last Night? Turns Out To Be A Large Narcotics Investigation!

Over the past three months, Iredell County Narcotics Detectives have been investigating a m**hamphetamine trafficking conspiracy involving Emily Ann Millsaps, Abraham Valadez, and Bryan Ashley Blansett.

As part of that investigation, detectives learned Millsaps was continuing to distribute m**hamphetamine destined for Iredell County. When investigators discovered Millsaps and Valadez were traveling to Davie County for a suspected narcotics transaction, they coordinated with the Davie County Sheriff's Office to apprehend them.

When Davie County deputies attempted to stop the suspects on June 9, Millsaps and Valadez fled, initiating a pursuit that continued into Iredell County. During the chase, the suspects were observed throwing suspected narcotics from the vehicle. Iredell County deputies assisted in the pursuit and successfully deployed spike strips, bringing the vehicle to a stop and taking both suspects into custody.

Investigators recovered narcotics discarded along the pursuit route, as well as additional narcotics from inside the vehicle. In total, law enforcement seized approximately 624 grams of m**hamphetamine, 30 grams of co***ne, 4.84 grams of a Schedule IV controlled substance, two oxycodone pills, and $10,435 in U.S. currency.

Based on the Iredell County Sheriff's Office investigation, Millsaps, Valadez, and Blansett have each been charged in Iredell County with two counts of Felony Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine. Millsaps and Valadez remain in the Davie County Detention Center, and additional charges related to the pursuit and narcotics offenses are expected from the Davie County Sheriff's Office.

Iredell County Sheriff
Davie County Sheriff's Office
North Carolina State Highway Patrol

**h

10/06/2026

As we were informed, Mooresville Commissioner Gary West recently went on the record with another local publication regarding his law enforcement background.

According to the article published by the Mooresville Citizen and Lake Norman Publications, Mr. West acknowledged that he was NOT a full-time law enforcement officer and did NOT retire from a full-time law enforcement career. The article reports that West served as a reserve officer in Colorado and Albuquerque.

According to the publication, he was a sworn reserve officer but was not compensated for his service. The article further states that Mr. West was not permitted to respond to calls independently and was required to be accompanied by a full-time certified law enforcement officer while performing his duties as a reserve officer.

If that reporting is accurate, it appears consistent with what Firewire has been reporting over the past week. However, questions remain regarding Mr. West's public claims of being a retired law enforcement officer.

We appreciate Lake Norman Publications and Lee Sullivan for contributing additional information to the public discussion. However, the article also raises additional questions that have not yet been answered.

One of those questions involves Mr. West's membership status with the Iredell Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10. If Mr. West did not retire from a full-time law enforcement agency, it is reasonable to ask what documentation was provided to support any retired law enforcement membership status.

The article also does not address several other claims that Mr. West has publicly made over the years, including statements that he was shot, stabbed, had his badge retired, and served as a K-9 handler.

These are significant claims that should be capable of verification through records, certifications, agency documentation, incident reports, or other supporting evidence.

Additionally, questions remain regarding the agencies where Mr. West states he served. Firewire has previously reported that records requests submitted to agencies identified during our investigation did not produce documentation confirming certain aspects of his claimed law enforcement history. That does not necessarily mean such records do not exist, but it does mean questions remain that deserve answers.

At this point, the issue is not whether Mr. West participated in reserve law enforcement activities. The issue is whether the various public claims that have been made over the years can be independently verified through documentation and official records.

Again, we would like to publicly thank Lee Sullivan for contributing additional information to this discussion. Based on the information contained in your article, it appears consistent with what Firewire has been reporting: that Mr. West did not serve as a full-time law enforcement officer and did not retire from a full-time law enforcement career.

As always, Firewire welcomes the opportunity to review any records or documentation that Mr. West chooses to provide and will report those findings accordingly.

Town of Mooresville NC
Mooresville Police Department
NC Fraternal Order of Police 10

10/06/2026

In the latest Commissioner Gary West saga, Mr. West has reportedly stated that he intends to provide law enforcement credentials to a news organization.

This comes after repeated calls for Mr. West to provide documentation to the Mooresville Town Board supporting his public claims of being a retired law enforcement officer. To date, Firewire has been unable to independently verify several of those claims through the public records reviewed during our investigation.

To whichever news organization is reviewing this matter, here are several questions that should be asked:

1. Does possessing law enforcement credentials prove someone served as a sworn law enforcement officer?

Completing a police academy and obtaining certification is not the same as serving as a sworn law enforcement officer. Any investigation should determine whether Mr. West was employed by a law enforcement agency, what his role was, and whether he ultimately retired from law enforcement as he has publicly claimed.

2. Can the claim of being a retired law enforcement officer be documented?

Mr. West has publicly represented himself as a retired law enforcement officer. Journalists should seek documentation identifying the agency from which he retired and records supporting that retirement status.

3. Can the additional law enforcement claims be verified?

Mr. West has publicly stated that he was shot, stabbed, had his badge retired, served as a K-9 handler, and worked on a drug task force.

These are significant claims that would typically be supported by documentation, certifications, personnel records, interagency agreements, incident reports, media coverage, or other records.

For example:

- K-9 handlers generally receive specialized training and certification.

- Drug task force assignments are typically documented through participating agencies.

- Serious line-of-duty incidents involving officers are often documented internally and, in many cases, reported publicly.

Any journalist reviewing these claims should request supporting documentation.

4. What records support his employment history?

If law enforcement employment is being claimed, journalists should seek records identifying the agencies involved, the dates of service, and the positions held.

It may also be worth asking why a LinkedIn profile that reportedly referenced law enforcement experience was removed, particularly if it was previously being cited as supporting evidence.

5. What documentation was provided to obtain retired law enforcement membership with the Iredell Fraternal Order of Police?

Questions have also been raised regarding retired law enforcement membership status. If such membership was obtained, it would be reasonable to ask what documentation was submitted to support eligibility.

At this point, the issue is not whether credentials exist. The issue is whether the various claims that have been publicly made over the years can be independently verified through records and documentation.

Firewire welcomes the opportunity for Mr. West to provide documentation supporting any of these claims and will review any records that are made available.

The public and board deserves facts, not assumptions. Any reporting on this matter should focus on verifiable records, documentation, and evidence rather than simply repeating claims.

Town of Mooresville NC
Mooresville Police Department

Iredell Firewire

11/06/2026

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